Breast Cancer Now Forum

The reluctant FECer has had the 5th dose ! Unit running an hour and half late today but they got vein first time. They were on staff training for the cold cap treatment - too late for me but I am pleased for those that come after me that they will have the choice to try it. Sharon, can't believe you have shingles ! You poor thing, I bet its sore! You take care of yourself ! My radiotherapy starts 3 weeks after last chemo - no date as yet. Cherrytom, hope the Tax truck doesn't stay long!Queenie I am now having hot flushes so coming out in sympathy with u ! I am normally such a cold person, can't understand why I have to strip off in the night !! Feels good to say one dose left, even better to say finished. May all neuts stay replenished, may all S/E be minimal and no one has to be admitted !! Andrea xx ... View more

Hi everyone, well I got my answer today from the onc- no more Tax for me. I was admitted after Tax 1 with a temp and no neuts despite Filgrastim injections. She is not prepared to risk it again so I become a FEC er once more. Half of me relieved half of me worried that I am not having full whack. I have to accept it and move on. Bloods are good Sharon so back tomorrow. Having Filigrastim to boost the neuts too as they dived with FEC as well. Seems like the last of the treatment is dragging us all down but we'll pick up again as there will be nice things on our calendars instead of hosp appts soon. Onwards and upwards! Xx ... View more

Hi Everyone, hope everyones s/e are managable and life is bearable. Lisha I so hope this round of chemo isn't as bad as previous ! I was thinking about you last week ! June I had to confess I had a smile about your MUFF scan, the mind boggles !! I am feeling so much better. Even my food has started to taste a bit like food! I am dreading Tax no 2 so much. It took me about 9 days to pull round after the last one. Don't know how much of the grottiness was S/E and how much was the infection I was brewing though. Wondering if the onc will change anything as the neuts plummeted....Seeing her Wed and chemo Thurs if bloods permit. Trying to be positive and visualise a life without chemo and imagining what it will be like to have hair !! All things considered, although it was horrible losing my hair, the chemo itself is much more horrid I think! Best wishes to all Andrea xx ... View more

Hi Queenie, I haven't had any hot flushes, and up until the Tax, my periods have appeared more or less on time. Now I am late but guess I can blame the chemo, no chance of any little squirrels making an appearance ! Hope the flushes settle soon, maybe worth a mention to your doc. They can do a blood test (yeayy another blood test) to check if you are menopausal. Hope the nights get better soon too. ... View more

Hi all, I have escaped from hospital and feeling much better for getting a bit of sun on my face and fresh air ! So lovely to go to bed without being attatched to a wheezing machine and just sleep next to one instead ! (sorry OH, but u do snore! )Yes, the hospital experience wasn't great, the nurses work extremely hard and were overstretched at times. But I am very grateful to one and all. I think the important thing is to keep taking the temp. I put all my aches/tiredness down to the Tax and didn't realise I had something brewing. I don't think I have ever felt as ill but pushed myself to keep going and not give in. I am looking forward to the next lot like a hole in the head ! I am wondering if the onc will change anything next time? I am seeing her next week, the day before i am due the next poxy,toxy Tax !! Hope my co Taxers are surviving the SEs.Has anyone tried cooling their fingers during treatment? I stuck mine in frozen peas and touch wood, no numbness or nail changes yet - but won't count my chickens! Hope the FECers (think you have the best name!) not suffering too much too. Lisha best of luck for Thursday. I think when u walk out of there it will be such a positive feeling - just one more to go...... x ... View more

Still alive but still an in patient! My neuts have multiplied overnight to a very respectable 2 just the temp which shot up just after they mentioned the possibility of home. So I am stuck until Mon/Tues on IV antibiotics. I suppose it's the best place but I am missing my girls and it's thrown life into a bit of chaos as my mum and dad not local. Thanks Sharon for your post , FEC seems not so bad now! Now then I must attend to this lentil cottage pie......good job I have my own room! Xx ... View more

Well I am going to make it 3 of us now who have been admitted after Tax. Felt grotty still today and despite it being so hot outside felt chilly. OH insisted on me taking my temp which was slightly raised. One hour later still up a fraction. Rang the unit and they asked me to go in. No parking anywhere and a long hike to get in. I was knackered! Temp was normal when I got there but my neuts were 0.2. Another spot check of my temp and it was 38 so straight in for IV antibiotics and a big bag of fluid. So big hug to my OH coz I gave him a hard time for fussing. Just hope I am not in for too long! Come on u neuts, show yourselves! X ... View more

Aggh Slendablenda, so sorry your neuts are low! Mine bounced up to an impressive 4 after a week's rest which I was pleased about before starting this Tax. Its so frustrating tho when u can see an end in sight. Supertrouper, sounds like u had a lucky escape. Its grim this stuff. My tongue and mouth sore and food just tastes rubbish. My energy levels at an all time low. I have even been having a nap after lunch which I have never done. Angel, I am glad that you are OK and the hospital got you back on your feet even if they are red and sore! Hope things get moving Queenie ! I know my consultant loves Moviecol which she got me to take the day before chemo. I had to dissolve it in rasp/apple juice as I found it disgusting but a few sachets and lactulose plus of course the high fibre multiple fruit/veg and I was away. Best wishes to all, and good luck to those getting dosed this week ! ... View more

Hi everyone, and welcome Veronique, I am day 6 post first Tax too. I think you sound amazing and positive which helps you get through this! I am feeling bit better today and forced myself to do some housework as I am better moving about. I am so hoping that each day will get better now. I ordered some supermarket shopping off the net yesterday in my low and achey mood and it was interesting what arrived today! Still, don't think we will run out of milk or mushrooms EVER ......! Shapb, I have the injections day 5-9 to boost the white cells as the Tax hammers them. I do them myself and its painless, but if you need them I am sure there is help for you - not everyone is happy to do them themselves. Finding that Ibuprofen better than Paracetamol at helping with the aches. Queenie I got a rash after FEC for around 3 days - just on my face and neck. Everyone thought I looked really well as normally I am drip white ! ... View more

The Tax truck has pulled in and the driver having a leisurely cooked breakfast. OMG, its been a long long time since I felt this crap! I am actually missing the FEC !!! Managed my injection this morning and heartened to see it also causes muscle aches ! Its taking me all my time to get upright which is so not like me. Hoping it lifts soon.Shapb, stock up on the Paracetamol ! ... View more

O Supertrouper sounds grim, hope the pains settle and you can get rest! Love your lucky jar idea too ! Lisha hope you picking up again and I am imagining you in your hats and smiling too ! Queenie, my consultant tried me on Movicol which worked but tasted so foul! I then tried Lactulose which tastes very sweet but lets say things did get moving! I did manage to sleep last night aided by a nice cold lager which helped the curry go down. My face less itchy. Feeling a bit achey and lacking in va va voom. Trying not to give in to a snooze in the hope I can sleep again tonight...Think Eddie and his truck pulling in !! ... View more

Hi Ladies, The newts have recovered - haven't has as many as this since before treatment ! So the dreaded Tax yesterday, got a vein first time (they have had a week longer to recover too) and all over in about an hour. All fine until early evening when I started to feel itchy on my face but no rash to see. Not a great nights sleep as my face driving me mad. OH gave me antihistamine at around 2.00am and I managed to dose off. Keep going hot too - must be the steroids 16mg a day. Last day of them today and start Filgrastin Monday. No nausea tho - Hurray ! Stuck my fingers in frozen peas during treatment as got the green light from the onc so waiting to see if it does any good re nail damage and neuropathy. Good to feel there is more treatment behind me now than in front. Supertrouper you are a couple of days ahead of me hope when/if the Tax truck hits its not as bad as we think! My truck will be an Eddie Stobart double trailer with my name on the front you watch ! Hope everyone is not feeling too bad today ! xx ... View more

Aww thanks ladies for your comments ! I am feeling really well, it looks like sometimes there are no symptoms, just bad luck! I am taking advantage of feeling well and munching through the contents of food cupboards and fridge!! So glad Supertrouper that you had that great news ! Tax next week for us both ! Not relishing the thought of the injections days 5-9, but they are letting me do them myself. I will probably be chasing myself around the house with a needle, but I am a control freak and its better than someone else doing the chasing ! Glad Slendablenda that you seem to be coping with the Tax and to get finished before Christmas is great ! ... View more

Bah Humbug...No Tax for me today as the neuts have nose dived. Delayed for a week, just when I could say I was over the half way ! On the positive side I feel well, just frustrated. I am just going to have to console myself with a glass of something chilled and alcoholic ! Good luck to all having chemo this week. I will catch you up hopefully next week ! ... View more

Hi Everyone, yes guilty as charged Supertrouper, I have not posted for a while. Found that the SE from Fec worse each time but now feeling great - just as my first Tax is looming on Thurs. Feeling bit worried- veins not great now but I am going with my frozen peas for my fingers. Feel so sorry for the lady who has to wait til Oct to get a wig appt. That's not acceptable ! Without my wig I would be lost! Finding I am having to draw my eyebrows on ( a gift from a thoughtful friend) . Bought some eyelashes yesterday. What a hoot! Let's just say I thought I had a steady hand but failed miserably! Anyone any tips? Good luck to all. We are getting there! Xxx ... View more

Many thanks to everyone who is posting. I am storing up good info (and frozen veggies)and will be armed when I see the oncologist in 3 weeks! Please continue to post because if I can tell her the major cancer centres that do this routinely, she may take more of an interest! Thanks to all again xx ... View more

Hi hjv123, you sound very much like me! Have they told you if the cancer is oestrogen positive ? I had small tumour, 1 node affected HER2 -ve and I am half way through FEC x3 and Tax x3 which is pretty much the standard. This is followed up with radiotherapy and Tamoxifen for 5 years as I am premenstrual and oestrogen positive. I know exactly how u r feeling. Wanting to get on with it but scared to start!? I went with a suck it and see approach because everyone is different. I have been lucky, ran the race for life 3 days post chemo 1 and have not been sick. Its like being pregnant, funny taste in mouth and bouts of tiredness but u can function on most levels! Housework u can do as u feel, cooking a drag sometimes because it doesn't taste right! My life is basically the same but the onc wouldn't let me work - I feel I could most of the time. It's not worth the risk of picking up infection though. The hair loss which is prob a major angst I got through. Big cries help and then a moving on and acceptance comes after. I am happy with my wig and wear it most of the time. Some ladies are happier in scarves or even commando - you are you and will find a way that's best! Good luck with everything! This forum really helps especially when u feeling a bit low. It's good to chat with people who know exactly what you're on about ! ... View more

DJ007, its good too to hear positives from no cooling too. It obviously is a luck thing - a bit like FEC SE's, no ones quite the same !! ... View more

Hi Princess2345, Thats great of u to let me know - could u let me know which centre ? ... View more

Hi Lisha, I have found you! Sorry to see that the lack of decent communication has had you worried. He sounds like someone I have seen but I'll save that story for another day ! It sounds to me that he is just being ultra careful and making absolutely sure there is no infection. Prob erred on the side of caution after you left.Bad practice as we are all so anxious and imagine the worst scenario. Hope u got the chemo today ! Let me know you're ok xx Andrea ... View more